George Openshaw (? Or was it
Neil Tenan, it was the gentleman that left the meeting early) expressed
that simply posting a 25mph speed limit would not work since traffic does not
appear to heed the posted limit. The group spoke of putting in more corners and
turns to slow the traffic down and to keep it tight. The use of traffic calming
techniques to slow down traffic was also discussed.

It was felt that the use of shoulders for bike paths
would also increase safety. Currently the hills are very steep for bicyclists
and the shoulders are sand which make it dangerous and difficult for the bikes
to use. The group expressed that bikes tend to avoid the road altogether
particularly due to the steepness of Catherine’s Hill. Ashby Bladen indicated
that is was very dangerous if not on a mountain bike and that the narrow and
soft shoulders were even difficult for a mountain bike. Although it was felt
that this was a good idea, the group also indicated that broader shoulders
would also increase the traffic speed. It was noted that many bicyclists choose
to use Route One.

It was noted that one couldn’t lose site of the fact
that it is a throughway. There is a lot of commercial traffic that appeared to
increase when the “Singing Bridge” was closed and traffic was forced to find an
alternate route. Ellen Tenan indicated that once the bridge reopened, some
truck traffic continued to use Route 182 because it is a shorter route.

How to accommodate it: Signs could direct traffic
toward Harrington on Route 1A from Milbridge (but there are still some
difficult stretches along Route 1A)

Recreational Vehicles: A large
problem with traffic on the road relates to large recreational vehicles and
their difficulty navigating the winding road. Many times this slows down
traffic. As the road exists currently, there is no location for them to pull
off. This fact often creates a conflict between the local traffic and the
tourism traffic.

Passing: Ellen Tenan also shared that
people tend to get frustrated when following slow moving RVs or trucks and due
to their frustration would pass in bad places.

Goal 2: Protect the natural, historic and scenic
resources that make this byway unique.

The group felt that tourists can’t see because the
trees have grown up and more trees have grown up since the designation. They
encouraged the limbing of trees on the backside of Catherine’s Hill to create
vistas. Also trim vegetation to create a look out off the top of Catherines
Hill. Trimming could also be done on corners to create a better view. It
appears that there is a fair amount of standing dead wood that could be cut to
create a partial view. It was acknowledged that any trimming may also be
detrimental, that forests depend on thick stands and trimming could cause blow
downs. Turn-offs at various locations would also be beneficial. Local historian
input about Catherine and dance hall indicates that it is all private property
and a homicide occurred years ago on top of hill.

Non-point source pollution was mentioned by Ashby
Bladen. He indicated that road runoff had the potential to create water quality
problems. There are at least 10 places where erosion is carrying run off into
the lakes. To protect the water quality, bank stabilization, resizing of
culverts, replacement of failed culverts, and culvert repair is needed. Ashby
Bladen will send the GPS coordinates to Jim.

Concern was voiced about the Historic Village in
Cherryfield. If DOT re-builds without the plan, would be built to ASHTO
standards; local plan would re-direct this planning; would identify priority
sites for maintenance and/or improvement. The revitalization plan makes note of
improvements as 182 comes into town (in comp plan).

Other historic areas of importance were mentioned.
Ellen Tenan mentioned that all the cemeteries should be noted and not
disturbed. Partners for the care of these locations should be sought and
plaques should be placed at the locations for formal identification. The sign
could also include an address that would accept donations for the care of the cememtery.
The towns receive many inquiries relating tot he cemeteries from individuals
involved in genealogy. Jim Fisher asked if there were working landscapes that
were important tot he communities. The group listed five items as important.
Those included: Blueberries, the gallamander, ice cutting and ice houses, the
hatchery at the outlet of Tunk Lake and the Blacksmith Shop.

Signage: Interpretive signs that direct people from
the byway into the villages would be beneficial to the economy of the towns.

Improvement of Roads: Improving the road would
create more efficient travel. These road improvements should promote easy
maintenance. Currently frost heaves are extraordinarily bad and a number of bad
pot holes exist. Improvement to 193 could divert the truck traffic away from
182 since 193 is already a faster route to Bangor or to Augusta. But some
commercial traffic will still need to go to Ellsworth and to Bar Harbor. The
group concluded that the road needs to be fixed to a standard that can be
managed by the town. Jim Fisher indicated that the state is responsible for the
road and that upgrades are not currently in MDOT’s 6 year plan. However, being
part of a scenic byway with a management plan that recommends redevelopment
will bring the road higher up on MDOT’s priority list. The designation can also
help to approve the aesthetics of the road such as dictating better looking
guard rails.

The shoulders also need
improvement in strategic locations to give a solid shoulder for trucks who move
to the side for passing. Currently if a truck tries to pull to the side the
narrow soft shoulders present the danger of becoming stuck. The shoulders would
not need to be extended a long way to improve safety. Scenic pull outs with
long paved shoulders (as on the Whales back on Route 9) could allow passing.
This would be essential for farm trucks with fresh blueberries in transport and
for the fish trucks that are often carry a very heavy load. Often times, these
trucks stop at the top of a hill and tell drivers to pass them which is not the
safest scenario. Particularly a truck lane on Catherine’s Hill would be
beneficial, but the group wanted to protect the scenic old oak tree at that
location. Problems with the hill included steepness, drainage and shaded area
where melting does not occur. There is room to create a parking area at the top
of the hill although currently it is private property.

Tunk Lake also has some areas for concern. No
warning exists for the turnout and the turnout is not sufficient to
accommodate RVs. This area also may not work for a boat launch since space is
limited. If the boat launch is improved, the flow to Tunk Stream (to the north)
will be restored. The shoulders should be widened to allow vehicles with boats
and trailers to get up to speed.

Spring River parking was also mentioned as having limited
room for expansion. Another potential area for a turn-off included the hand
launch location at Fox Pond. A rope swing exists at the east end where people
turn off (the hand launch for canoes). Trailers are also used to launch boats
at this location which creates a safety issue.

Tourism: Ellen Tenan indicated that many tourists
are frightened of driving portions of the byway especially the end of Long Pond
where it is difficult to see. Consensus was that the road should be made to be
more user friendly and that the boat launch needs to be improved. Currently it
is difficult for traffic to merge in this area and greater visibility is
needed. One sugggestion was to move the road closure to the pond. A large pot
hole at end of Long Pond needs to be fixed.

Often times tourists miss
Cherryfield if they are not on Route 182. Signage is needed on Route One (both
ends) for Cherryfield as a destination. This may be contrary to the mission of
the Route 1 Corridor Committee. They are encouraging traffic towards Route
One. The committee discussed the potential for re-designating 182 as Route One
and a portion of the current Route One would be changed to 1A. A re-build of
182 would be required to make it the main corridor. Problems with this plan
might be that the north side of the road is an ecological preserve which could
create a conflict with wildlife. Various wildlife such as wood ducks and
turtles nest there. The State has been discussing the development of
campgrounds. The group thought that more opportunities for hiking, biking
canoeing, and camping (basically the use of the corridor without the
automobile) would cause less damage to environment but does not bring in at lot
of money for the economy.

Discussion then moved to the rails
to trails initiative. The potential for a bike trail on old railroad tracks.
Currently there is no economic benefit to the communities from rails that are
not in use. Various people felt that the dual use (ATV’s and snowmobiles) of
such trails would bring in more economic benefit than just bikes or just summer
use only (multi trails, for year round use). The possibility of designating
some areas that are single use and others as dual use was also discussed.
Previously, the State has shot down offers to open the track for excursion
tourism traffic from Franklin to Cherryfield. Rails are not currently at a
grade that could support freight and it could cause environmental damage to
upgrade.

Deb Ballam indicated that another
option for the bike/hike trails could be a bridle path. The potential for eco
tourism was discussed with a focus on motorized verse non-motorized usage.

With the overflow that is being
experienced from Acadia National Park, the group wondered if more traffic would
be traveling to Calais for the Downeast Heritage Center. If so, the enhancement
of 182 might draw traffic from Route One.

The off-season tourist was also
discussed. Ellen Tenan indicated that the fall often brought tourists of an
older age group that held a less physical schedule. Efforts should be pursued
to attract these individuals to the area. They would generally be looking for
facilities such as restaurants and motels.

It was recognized that winter tourism currently
brings in a lot of money on Route 9 and in Aroostook County. The current local
summer tourism season is too short to support a local motel or a restaurant.
To sustain such businesses, year round tourism/activities would need to occur
and should be promoted. Ice fishing is active in the region but a safety issue
is presented due to a lack of plowing at Tunk Lake and Spring River. The only
option is to park on the edge of the road. The group felt that to increase
safety, the access needs to be plowed. It was also expressed that the Hatchery
is an excellent location for cross country skiing and snow shoeing. A bigger
apron on the Hatchery side would allow for parking in that area. Also, the fact
that the turnout area is not plowed in the Blackwoods. Often people stop to use
cell phones here which causes a hazard. A picnic area would be nice at Sprague Falls
on the south side (shore side of the road). A portion (approximately one acre)
may be for sale in that area.

Goal 4: Promote community participation in
protecting and enhancing the byway.

A Corridor Management Committee
should be established. Members of the committee to include: LURC, the
Cherryfield-Narraguagus Historical Society, State Bureau of Parks and Land,
Charlie Hitchins, Deb Ballam, Narraguagus Snowmobile and ATV Club (best suited
for education opportunities) Bangor-Hydro and the Downeast Rivers Land Trust
(they are focused on rivers and recreational trails and scenic opportunities
but would be willing to participate)

Cell towers were mentioned as a
detraction from the view. The group felt that one was needed if service that is
blocked south of Catherine hill were to be improved. An obvious location would
be the Charlie Birdsall property.

3.Closing
remarks

The final thoughts from those in attendance were:

1.That
they were in favor of anything that would improve the road, and